Kobe Bryant and the Urgency of Eternity (Luke 13)

Some people are larger than life. Kobe Bryant was one of those people. There are only a handful of athletes that are instantly recognizable by almost everyone in a country (let alone the whole world, in his case). News of his and his daughter’s death, as well as the death of 5 others (I believe 5 was the last report I saw), is shocking to say the least.

When I first heard about it, I assumed it was a hoax. Not unlike the “news” last year about Kevin Hart’s becoming paralyzed in a car accident. Sadly, this wasn’t a hoax. I can hardly think of a more painful experience for each of the families whose lives have been altered in an unbelievably painful way.

Luke 13

After the reality of this news hitting me, Jesus’ words in Luke 13:1-5 stick out in my head:

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

At first, Jesus’s words seem to be lacking some compassion. “Really, is now the time to tell people to repent?” The tragedies described in this paragraph are as heartbreaking of tragedies as we could imagine. One of them the direct result of human evil and murder, the other a tragedy that seems to have occurred for no reason at all.

Immediately, though, Jesus tells them to consider repentance. Calling our attention to this idea may not feel sympathetic—but it is the most truly compassionate response Jesus can give. And the most compassionate response He can teach us to give.

Don’t ignore grief

We can’t, nor should we, ignore grief in moments like this. Families are broken because of this news. Millions of people who looked up to Kobe as an icon feel pain as well. Grieving is real, and legitimate. While still mourning, we have to not mourn as those who have no hope (1 Thess. 4:13). That means we must remember eternity is real, judgement is real, but grace is also real.

In these situations, we are forced to consider reality. The reality of our mortality. The reality of our sin and need for redemption. And not just our own, even our families, friends, the rich, the famous—all of us alike. So as we feel this pain, we ought to respond as Jesus did: cast our eyes to our only hope, and tell those around us about that hope.

We, and everyone around us, will one day, perhaps very soon, be face-to-face with God. We must throw ourselves upon the grace of Jesus, each of us, for He stands ready to provide the only assurance and hope in the face of reality’s horrible pain. The only assurance and hope that can possibly give eternal healing to the most heartbreaking situations we experience.

And we must become people that fight daily to tell others about him. No matter how secure we may seem, the urgency of eternity is always closer than we like to admit.